How to Make a Good Confession

An Examination of Conscience helps us to think about how we have sinned so that we may prepare to make a good Confession.

Day 1 & 2 & 3

Act of Contrition: The Act of Contrition is a prayer telling God we are sorry for our sins, we need His help to do better next time, and to remember that Jesus died to save us from sin.
Examination of Conscience: A prayerful review of what we have done and what we have failed to do that helps us to think about whether we have broken one of the Ten Commandments, or hurt God, His Church, other people, or ourselves.
Contrition: Contrition is sorrow for our sins and making the choice to not sin again.
Confession: Confession is the part of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation when we tell all our sins to a priest, who acts in the place of Christ.
Penance: A penance is an act the priest gives us during the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation to help us repair our relationship with God, His Church, and those whom we may have hurt by our sin.
Absolution: Absolution is a special prayer the priest says in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation that absolves, or forgives, our sins with the authority of Jesus.
Seal of Confession: The Seal of Confession is the obligation of priests in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation to keep secret everything confessed to them.